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Saudi student jailed for plot to attack Bush's home | Saudi student jailed for plot to attack Bush's home |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A Saudi student who plotted to attack the Texas home of ex-President George W Bush and other targets has been sentenced to life in jail. | |
A judge said he had no doubt Khalid Aldawsari, convicted in June of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction, was serious about his plans. | A judge said he had no doubt Khalid Aldawsari, convicted in June of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction, was serious about his plans. |
The FBI found bomb-making materials in the 22-year-old's Lubbock, Texas home just before his February 2011 arrest. | The FBI found bomb-making materials in the 22-year-old's Lubbock, Texas home just before his February 2011 arrest. |
Nuclear power plants and hydroelectric dams were also on his list of targets. | Nuclear power plants and hydroelectric dams were also on his list of targets. |
At the sentencing in Amarillo, Texas, Judge Donald Walter said: "The bottom line is that but by the grace of God there would be dead Americans. | At the sentencing in Amarillo, Texas, Judge Donald Walter said: "The bottom line is that but by the grace of God there would be dead Americans. |
"You would have done it. In every step, it was you all alone." | "You would have done it. In every step, it was you all alone." |
'Time for jihad' | 'Time for jihad' |
The investigation into Aldawsari began when his $435 (£273) purchase from a chemical company raised suspicions. | The investigation into Aldawsari began when his $435 (£273) purchase from a chemical company raised suspicions. |
Investigators said he had ordered the toxic chemical phenol, which can be used to make explosives, telling the supplier he wanted it for "off-campus, personal research". | Investigators said he had ordered the toxic chemical phenol, which can be used to make explosives, telling the supplier he wanted it for "off-campus, personal research". |
The supplier became suspicious and reported the contact to the FBI. Aldawsari later cancelled the order, the justice department said. | The supplier became suspicious and reported the contact to the FBI. Aldawsari later cancelled the order, the justice department said. |
He eventually succeeded in buying nearly eight gallons (30 litres) of concentrated nitric acid and three gallons of concentrated sulphuric acid, prosecutors said. | He eventually succeeded in buying nearly eight gallons (30 litres) of concentrated nitric acid and three gallons of concentrated sulphuric acid, prosecutors said. |
Just before he was arrested, federal agents secretly searched his apartment and found explosive chemicals, wiring, a hazardous-materials suit and clocks, along with videos showing how to make the chemical explosive TNP. | Just before he was arrested, federal agents secretly searched his apartment and found explosive chemicals, wiring, a hazardous-materials suit and clocks, along with videos showing how to make the chemical explosive TNP. |
The FBI found evidence that Aldawsari had researched targets, including the Dallas home of Mr Bush, which the student referred to as "Tyrant's House". | The FBI found evidence that Aldawsari had researched targets, including the Dallas home of Mr Bush, which the student referred to as "Tyrant's House". |
Aldawsari wrote in a journal entry: "And now, after mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for Jihad." | Aldawsari wrote in a journal entry: "And now, after mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for Jihad." |
'Doll-bomb research' | 'Doll-bomb research' |
Aldawsari apologised at Tuesday's hearing: "I am sorry for these bad actions, but none of these bad actions did harm to the United States." | Aldawsari apologised at Tuesday's hearing: "I am sorry for these bad actions, but none of these bad actions did harm to the United States." |
During the trial, defence lawyers acknowledged the student had intent, but they said he never took a "substantial step" to carry out an attack. | |
FBI bomb experts said the amounts of chemicals Aldawsari gathered would have yielded almost 15lb (7kg) of explosive - about the same amount used per bomb in the 2005 London subway attacks. | |
Other potential targets Aldawsari researched included the homes of three former soldiers who were stationed at Abu Ghraib prison. | Other potential targets Aldawsari researched included the homes of three former soldiers who were stationed at Abu Ghraib prison. |
His internet searches also suggested he was considering hiding explosives in children's dolls or targeting a nightclub with a bomb in a backpack. | |
He came to the US legally in 2008, initially studying chemical engineering at Texas Tech before transferring to South Plains College to study business. A Saudi industrial company was paying his tuition and living expenses. | He came to the US legally in 2008, initially studying chemical engineering at Texas Tech before transferring to South Plains College to study business. A Saudi industrial company was paying his tuition and living expenses. |
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